This system was introduced by Pradaparudran of warrangal, in the Kakatiya Kingdom.
In Tamil Nadu this system introduced by Viswanatha Nayak, the ruler of Madurai with the help of his minister Periyanathar in 1529.
Palayam means a domain, a military camp or a little kingdom.
Traditionally there were 72 Palayakarars in Tamil Nadu.
They entitled to collect revenue, administer the territory, settle dispute & maintain law and order.
The revenue divided into 1/3 for Nayak, 1/3 for army & remaining for themselves.
They maintained their own army and when they would help Nayak rulers in case of war.
There were two blocs in Tamil Nadu Palayams.
Eastern Palayams – Ruled by Telugu Palayakarars. Sattur,Nagalapuram, Ettayapuram, Panchalangurichi.
Western Palayams – Ruled by Tamil Maravar Palayakarars. Uthumalai,Thalavaikottai, Naduvakurichi, Singampatti, Nerkattum Seval.
Revolt of Poligars or Palayakarars (1755 – 1801)
The Nawab of Carnatic gave the right to collect the taxes from Palayams of Tamil Nadu to British after Carnatic treaty 1792.
The result was the outbreak of the revolt of Palayakarars.
Revolt of Pulithevar (1759-1761)
He was the Palayakarar of the Nerkattum Sevval near Tirunelvelli.
He refused to pay the tribute neither to Mohammed Ali, the Nawab of Arcot nor to the English
The Nawab Mohammed Ali sent his brother Mahfuzkhan under Colonel Heron in 1755 to capture Madurai.
They captured Madurai & instructed to control Pulithevar. But due to insufficient troops Heron did not attack Nerkattum Sevval.
Pulithevar started a confederacy against Nawab and company.
He was supported by Mianah, Mudimaiah & Nabikhan Kattak the representative of Nawab Chanda Sahib. Many palayams joined the confederacy except Sivagiri, Ettaiyapuram and Panchalankurichi.
Hyder Ali could not help Pulithevar as he promised due to the war against Marathas.
Kalakkadu Battle 1761
Nawab & company sent a combined troop under Mafuzkhan against confederacy of Pulithevar.
Both troops met at Kalakkadu and Pulithevar defeated British troops.
Pulithevar was the first Indian king who have defeated the British in India.
Yusuf Khan (Khan Shahib or Marudhanayagam) the captain of British captured Nerkattum Seval, Vasudevanallur & Panayur in 1761.
Yusuf Khan was negotiating with palayakarars without informing the company administration, was charged with treachery & hanged in 1764.
After the death of Yusuf Khan Pulithevar recaptured Nerkattum Sevval in 1764.
But in 1767 Captain Campbell captured Nerkattum Sevval and Pulithavar escaped and died in exile.
Yuzuf Khan
Real Name – Marudhanayagam, Birth: Ramanathapuram.
Converted to Islam in Pondicherry against castism.
From 1756 to 1761 he acted as the governor of Madurai & Tirunelveli.
He defeated Hyder Ali and captured Sozhavanthan.
He encouraged Textile industry in Madurai.
He donated money to temples & revived many temple lands from Priests.
He killed by British with charge of treason in 1764.
Ondiveeran:
He led one of the troops of Pulithevar and defeated British.
His hand was chopped off in the battle and he accepted it as his reward against Battle of British.
